Contraception Reviews

Male condom vs Combination birth control pill

Male condom

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Combination birth control pill

Want to switch birth control?

Overview

Rated 4.3

3 reviews

During or before sex

Frequency

87% - 98%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Rated 3.4

98 reviews

Daily

Frequency

91% - 99+%

Effectiveness

Increased

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Male condom ingredients

Male condoms are thin latex or polyurethane sheaths that are worn on the penis during sex.

Combination pill ingredients

Main hormones in Combination pill

estrogen

What Lowdown reviewers say

Mood

67% no impact on mood

Bleeds

67% no change

Sex drive

67% no impact

Weight

100% no impact

Skin

67% no impact on skin

Cycle return

Not enough data to say

Mood

29% no impact on mood

Bleeds

31% lighter periods

Sex drive

40% lost sex drive

Weight

43% no impact

Skin

42% improved skin

Cycle return

40% in 1 month

Benefits: What this birth control can help with

Protects against STDs

Non-hormonal

Acne or bad skin

Heavy periods

PMS and PMDD

PCOS symptoms

Period pain

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Check out our latest reviews

Real life reviews from people like you

Male condom reviews

3 reviews

Male condom  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
26 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  1st Jan 25

Male condom  

No changes

Read more

Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Male condom  
Used for 8+ yr
27 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  29th Dec 24

Male condom  

Overall it's been great, but remembering a pill at a specific time is challenging for me


Somewhat positive mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Male condom  
Used for 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  4th Sep 24

Male condom  

Condoms did not change any part of my period for me, no side effects of using this form of contraceptive and it has been effective in avoiding pregnancy as well as STDs.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Male condom  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
26 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  1st Jan 25

Male condom  

No changes


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Male condom  
Used for 8+ yr
27 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  29th Dec 24

Male condom  

Overall it's been great, but remembering a pill at a specific time is challenging for me


Somewhat positive mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Male condom  
Used for 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  4th Sep 24

Male condom  

Condoms did not change any part of my period for me, no side effects of using this form of contraceptive and it has been effective in avoiding pregnancy as well as STDs.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments


Combination birth control pill reviews

98 reviews

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
43 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 weeks ago

Loryna birth control pill  

The only negative is loss of sex drive, other than that it has helped my mood


Very positive mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
24 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  1 month ago

Vienva birth control pill  

My moods increased, I lost 50 lbs, and my acne got better. I was using Aviane before this and I was ovulating on it. Since switching to Vienva I have not had any issues.


Very positive mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
26 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  12th Feb 25

Kurvelo birth control pill  

I’ve experienced these issues around or during my period


Improved skin

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
43 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 weeks ago

Loryna birth control pill  

The only negative is loss of sex drive, other than that it has helped my mood


Very positive mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
24 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  1 month ago

Vienva birth control pill  

My moods increased, I lost 50 lbs, and my acne got better. I was using Aviane before this and I was ovulating on it. Since switching to Vienva I have not had any issues.


Very positive mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
26 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  12th Feb 25

Kurvelo birth control pill  

I’ve experienced these issues around or during my period


Improved skin

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  11th Feb 25

Junel Fe 1/20 birth control pill  

Had nausea the first week of both months 1 and 2. Only side effect was significant breast and butt enlargement, which led me to stop taking it.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
52 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  5th Feb 25

Nortrel 7/7/7 birth control pill  

no noted side effects very happy with this medication was switched to sprintec and not happy at all with sprintec


Very positive mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
23 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  4th Feb 25

Lutera birth control pill  

I actually didn't really have any "normal" side effects with this pill, I felt like I was mostly normal. But I did notice that my hair was gradually thinning, and it felt like it triggered some form of chronic hair loss for me. Interestingly enough, while it wasn't a huge issue, I noticed that I had "stinky" periods? I stopped having them after I stopped the pill.


Worse skin

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  28th Jan 25

Vestura birth control pill  

Being on this actually helps me to get fewer menstrual migraines. I don’t seem to have had any truly bad side effects over the years I’ve been taking it.


Improved skin

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
25 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  22nd Jan 25

Lo Loestrin Fe birth control pill  

I got major mood swings when skipping the placebo week, which is why I stopped.


Very negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 8+ yr
45 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  15th Jan 25

Vestura birth control pill  

I love my birth control


Very positive mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 8+ yr
39 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  17th Dec 24

Nortrel 0.5/35 birth control pill  

Overall discomfort.


Somewhat negative mood

3 more effects

3 helpful

0 comments

Birth control alternatives and comparisons

Compare the Male condom with other birth control

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